For Toronto's Melanie Fiona, the time is now. After suffering various album delays, her new 13-track project The MF Life finally sees the light of day today (March 20).
"I underwent a lot of changes. I wanted this music to come out. But it is a business and there are so many elements to putting out an album at the end of the day," Fiona tells Exclaim!
Funny how a couple of Grammy wins can change things. After going through some label changes (she's no longer with Universal Motown and The MF Life has been released through a partnership between SRC Records and Universal Republic), Fiona has been able to ride off her newfound mainstream love, mainly due to her Best Traditional R&B Performance Grammy for the collaboration with Cee Lo Green on "Fool for You."
The new album, she notes, "is a very strong body of work." While 2009's The Bridge was about paying respect and homage to old-school soul music, The MF Life is all about forging her own identity as an R&B/soul artist. Featuring guest spots from artists like Nas, B.o.B, John Legend and Drake, the project sees Fiona embark on a new mainstream phase of her career as a Grammy-winning artist.
"Nothing happens before its time. It all worked out. March 20 is a perfect time and it also actually gives me a little bit more room as it gave us time to feature Nas on the album," she says. "I think people will feel the growth from me. Musically it's a big sound and a bit more aggressive and take charge, which is how I'm feeling these days."
To read more of Exclaim!'s interview with Melanie Fiona, head here.
"I underwent a lot of changes. I wanted this music to come out. But it is a business and there are so many elements to putting out an album at the end of the day," Fiona tells Exclaim!
Funny how a couple of Grammy wins can change things. After going through some label changes (she's no longer with Universal Motown and The MF Life has been released through a partnership between SRC Records and Universal Republic), Fiona has been able to ride off her newfound mainstream love, mainly due to her Best Traditional R&B Performance Grammy for the collaboration with Cee Lo Green on "Fool for You."
The new album, she notes, "is a very strong body of work." While 2009's The Bridge was about paying respect and homage to old-school soul music, The MF Life is all about forging her own identity as an R&B/soul artist. Featuring guest spots from artists like Nas, B.o.B, John Legend and Drake, the project sees Fiona embark on a new mainstream phase of her career as a Grammy-winning artist.
"Nothing happens before its time. It all worked out. March 20 is a perfect time and it also actually gives me a little bit more room as it gave us time to feature Nas on the album," she says. "I think people will feel the growth from me. Musically it's a big sound and a bit more aggressive and take charge, which is how I'm feeling these days."
To read more of Exclaim!'s interview with Melanie Fiona, head here.
